Separable fastener stringers employing opposed coupled scoops of double-action type



Apnl 1, 1958 L. H. MORIN 2,828,523

SEPARABLE FASTENER STRINGERS EMPLOYING OPPOSED COUPLED SCOOPS OF DOUBLE-ACTION TYPE Filed Nov. 2, 1951 I United States SEFARABiL-E FAfiTENER STRENGERS ElviitLUYiNG @PPGSED CGUI'LED SCGOPS 6F DQ'UBLE-AC- TION TYPE This invention relates to separable fasteners employing scoops spaced along the edge thereof adapted to be coupled together in producing a separable fastener. More particularly, the invention deals with a scoop structure for stringers of the character described, wherein mounting end portions of the scoops are directly opposed to each other and each scoop has male and female coupling portions adapted to establish coupling engagement with scoops of an opposed stringer to retain said scoops against pull apart and transverse separation.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a scoop structure of the character described, wherein the scoops are of the double acting type, facilitating movement of sliders along the stringers in both directions in establishing a coupling engagement or in uncoupling the stringers.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged view of a pair of scoops disposed on two stringers and showing the scoops in coupled engagement with each other.

Fig. 2 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, showing three pairs of coupled scoops at different sections of a pair of stringers to diagrammatically illustrate the extreme positions of the pairs of scoops with respect to each other.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of adjacent edge portions of two stringers showing two scoops on each stringer; and

Fig. 4 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, showing a modification.

In the accompanying drawing, 1 have shown a scoop construction for separable fastener stringers, wherein the scoops are of a double action type, that is to say, a pair of stringers can be joined or, as with the structures shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a single stringer can be folded upon itself to form a pair of stringers, on which a slider can be mounted in either one of two directions to establish coupling and uncoupling in both directions on the stringer. In other words, with fasteners of this type and kind, a pair of sliders can be mounted on a single stringer with the wide end portions thereof back to back for operation along the stringers.

Before proceeding to describe the structures shown in the accompanying drawing, it is well to point out that,

with the showing in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, at least one pair of scoops is die cast at a time upon the tape edge and a series of these pairs of scoops are formed in producing a stringer length. It will also be understood, in this connection, that in multiple cavity dies, two, three or more pairs of the scoops may be simultaneously formed.

However, in Fig. 4 of the drawing, I have shown a modification, wherein the scoops are formed in pairs but the pairs are arranged in reverse relationship to each other. With this type of construction, a left and right stringer are necessary.

atent G ill 2,828,523 Patented Apr. 1, 1958 In Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, I have shown at 10, 10' parts of two stringers which may actually constitute a single stringer folded upon itself or cut to form two stringer parts and, for this reason, the brief description of one stringer will be applicable to both.

In a single casting operation, two scoops 12 and 13, constituting a pair, are formed on the stringer 10 or the beaded edge 11 thereof. A similar pair of scoops, identified as 12', 13 are formed on the bead 11' of tape 10 and it will here be noted that the coupling end portion 14 of scoop 12 engages coupling end portion 15 of scoop 13; whereas, the coupling end portion 15 of scoop 13 engages the coupling end portion 14' of scoop 12'.

The scoops 12, 13, 12', 13 are shown in perspective in Fig. 3 of the drawing and, in said figure, it will be clear that the coupling end portion 14, includes what might be termed a half or semi-cylindrical coupling head 16, having a fiat outer surface 17. The head 16 is disposed on one side of the scoop and occupies substantially one-half of the coupling end portion of the scoop; whereas, the other side of the scoop has a concaved recess 18 which, as noted in Fig. 1 of the drawing, is substantially in alinement with the peripheral surface of the semi-cylindrical head 16. In this connection, in referring to the head 16 as semi-cylindrical, it will be understood that part of this head merges into the body of the scoop, as will be clearly seen. This construction forms on upper and lower surfaces of the scoops recesses 19 which facilitate movement of the coupling portions 15, 15 relatively to the head 16, as later described. The coupling porion 15 comprises, at one side thereof, a short cylindrical member 20 of a diameter substantially common with that of the head 16 and at one side of the member 21) is a female socket portion 21, partially formed by upper and lower inwardly curved coupling members 22 and, at the base of the socket 21, is an outwardly protruding bevelled bearing portion 23 which extends the full length of the socket, the outer contracted end or ridge 24 of which terminates at the center axis of the cylindrical member 21?. This construction produces, in the socket or female coupling portion 21, upper and lower recesses 25 and 26, into which upper and lower portionsof the head 16 are adapted to pass in the fiexure of coupled stringers one with respect to the other in the manner diagrammaticah ly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

in other words, the head 16 of one scoop 12 is adapted to extend into the recesses 25, 26 of the scoop 13 of a companion stringer, and the same is true of the scoop 12 with respect to the scoop 13 of a companion stringer. In this connection, when the stringers are disposed in paraliel relationship to each other, as indicated in Fig. 1, the outer fiat surfaces 17, 17' of the scoops 12, 12 are disposed in alinement with each other and are parallel with the tape edge and can bear upon the outer contracted end or extremity 24, 24' of the respective scoops.

in View of the fact that the scoops on the stringer 10 are arranged in inverted relationship. to the scoops on the stringer 10, the recesses 25', 26 in Fig. 1 are correspondingly inverted. In other words, the recess 26' on scoop 13' is uppermost; whereas, the recess 25 is lowermost. In this same connection, the curved coupling members 22. are designated by the reference characters 22 on the stringer 151 and the coupling socket as a whole is designated by the reference character 21. The bear ing portion 23' is also designated. In like manner, it will be apparent that the scoop 12 includes the head 16', the socket 18' and the V-shaped recesses 19'.

Considering Fig. 3 of the drawing, it is quite apparent that the head 16 of scoop 12 enters the female socket 21 of the scoop 13; whereas, the cylinder or cylindrical member 20' of scoop 13' enters the recess 18 and, on the two lower scoops 13, 12, the same condition prevails scoops 32, 32.

in the alternate arrangement. Thus, when the stringers are coupled together, the stringers are held against transverse separation by alternate arrangement of the heads 16, 16' and cylinders 20, 20..

From a consideration of Fig. 2 of the drawing, it will be readily apparent that, in establishing coupling engagement, the heads 16, 16' are free to pass into the sockets 21, 21 in the operation of coupling the stringers as well as in separation of the stringers; whereas, when coupled together, the member 22 engage the coupling heads 16 in retaining the stringers against pull-apart separation.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing, I have shown a modification, wherein a pair of scoops 27, 27', identical with the scoops 12, are simultaneously cast upon a stringer tape 28 with the semi-cylindrical coupling heads 29, 29' thereof and the recesses 30, 30 in opposed relationship to each other; in other words, on the scoop 27, the head 29 is at the front side of the scoop, ,as shown, and head 29' is on the rear side of the scoop 27'. This will dispose the recess 30 on the rear side of the scoop 27 and the recess 30' on the front side of scoop 27.

On another stringer 31 are attached a pair of similar Again, these scoops are identical with the scoops 13, 13. However, the scoop 32 has a female coupling portion or socket 33 on the front face of the scoop; whereas, socket 33' is on the rear surface of scoop 32'. In like manner, the cylinder 34, similar to the cylinder 20, is on the rear portion of scoop 32; whereas, the cylinder 34 is on the front portion of scoop 32. With this construction, left and right stringers are required and, in their production, they will be made in the pairs designated or in multiples of these pairs, so as to establish the coupling engagement described. The structure of Fig. 4 necessitates the production of two different stringers; whereas, with the structures shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, a single stringer may be utilized to produce the separable fastener.

In a broad sense, each scoop of the invention has a coupling end portion, on which at the end of the same there is a projection and a recess disposed side by side. The projection and the recess of one scoop on one stringer engage, respectively, the recess and the projection of an opposed scoop on the other stringer to couple both said scoops together, and the projections of both coupled scoops overlap each other to provide an interlock against transverse separation in one direction. The said recess of onescoop is partially defined by upper and lower walls which, respectively, overhang and underlie the engaged projection of the opposed scoop, thereby providing interlock against pull-apart separation and against longitudinal separation in either direction. The lastrnentioned recess has a forwardly extending center ridge therein about which the last-mentioned projection can pivot to a limited extent, while the projection of the said one scoop is movable in the recess of the said opposed scoop, thereby enabling each scoop of a coupled pair of scoops to move relatively to the other and to permit the scoops to be coupled and uncoupled by a slider.

With the scoop construction disclosed, it will be apparent that the scoops are engaged in pairs, each scoop of a pair being directly opposed to the other scoop of the pair. In other words, each scoop of one stringer is in interlocking engagement with only one scoop of the opposing stringer. There is no coupling engagement between adjacent pairs of scoops, each pair being spaced from each adjacent pair. This construction provides a more flexible fastener. Also, a positive interlock between a pair of stringers is more apt to be maintained when which are produced by the technique of powder metallurgy, that is, the dies are formed from powdered metal by a pressing and sintering technique. As may be appreciated, dies for producing scoops are used in large quantities and they tend to wear out fairly quickly such that a source of cheap dies becomes an important economic factor. Not only must the dies be cheap, but they must be accurate as well. Cheap, accurate dies can be produced by the technique of powder metallurgy. Other known methods cannot produce dies as cheaply as by pressing them from powdered metal. In order to make use of powder-pressed dies, however, care must be taken in the design and construction of the scoops to eliminate certain factors. Thus, no undercuts can be present. The surfaces of the scoops must be balanced, that is, severely angular surfaces must be avoided. In addition, no cores may be used. For production reasons, it is preferred to employ dies having multiple scoop cavities, say up to sixteen cavities or more, and it is impractical to withdraw long cores from so many scoops which are formed in such dies. The scoop design and construction provided by this invention avoid the foregoing factors and enable powder-pressed dies to be employed to make the scoops.

In the coupling engagement between the pairs of scoops, one of the scoops, which, for convenience of description only and in a more particular sense, may be designated a male scoop, has what may be termed a semi-cylindrical head having a flat outer surface and rounded upper and lower surfaces which are concentric, or substantially concentric to the pivot axis of the coupling end portions, which axis is defined by the ridge 24, 24'. In like manner, the upper and lower inner curved surfaces of the sockets 21, 21 are also concentric to said axis. The scoop opposed to this male scoop may, for convenience, be designated a female scoop.

Considering Fig. 2 of the drawing, it will be apparent that, at the upper and lower portions of this figure are shown the two extreme positions of relative movement of the head 16 in the sockets 21, in other words, the positions which facilitate coupling and uncoupling of the stringers or movement of the heads into and out of the sockets. In this connection,,it will be understood that the scoops are of the double-action type facilitating coupling engagement by sliders movable along the stringers in both directions. a

In the present construction, it will also be apparent that the heads of the male scoops are disposed at one side of the scoop and the socket for reception of the head is on the same side of its companion female scoop. In Fig. 1, alternate male and female scoops are spaced along the stringers; whereas, in Fig. 4, the male scoops are disposed on one stringer and the female scoops on the opposed stringer but, in Fig. 4, the coupling heads and the sockets are alternately arranged on opposed sides of the scoops in the manner clearly illustrated.

Descriptively speaking, the pair of scoops may be said to comprise one scoop having a pivot ridge, with which the scoop is pivotally engaged and the first other scoop includes means, such as the walls 22, 22' for retaining the scoops against pull-apart separation.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A separable fastener consisting of a pair of stringer tapes each of which has double-acting scoops spaced therealong of a first construction alternating with scoops of a. second construction, each scoop having a coupling end portion, each coupling end portion having at the end thereof a projection and a recess disposed side by side,

.the .said projection and said recess of one scoop on one stringer tape engaging, respectively, the recess and the projection of an opposed scoop on the other stringer tape to couple both said scoops together, the projections of said two coupled scoops overlapping each other to provide an interlock against transverse separation in one direction, the said recess of one scoop being partially defined by upper and lower walls which, respectively, overhang and underlie the engaged projection of the opposed scoop, thereby providing an interlock against pull-apart separation and against longitudinal separation in either direction, said last-mentioned recess having a forwardly extending center ridge therein about which said last-mentioned projection can pivot to a limited extent, the projection of said one scoop being movable in the recess of said opposed scoop, thereby enabling each scoop of a coupled pair of scoops to move relatively to the other and to permit the scoops to be coupled and uncoupled by a slider.

2. A separable fastener consisting of a pair of stringer tapes each of which has double-acting scoops spaced therealong, each scoop having a coupling end portion, each coupling end portion having at the end thereof a projection and a recess disposed side by side, each projection and each recess having symmetrical upper and lower portions, the said projection and said recess of one scoop on one stringer tape engaging, respectively, the recess and the projection of an opposed scoop on the other stringer tape to couple both said scoops together, the projections of said two coupled scoops overlapping each other to provide an interlock against transverse separation in one direction, the said recess of one scoop being partially defined by upper and lower walls which, respectively, overhang and underlie the engaged projection of the opposed scoop, thereby providing an interlock against pull-apart separation and against longitudinal separation in either direction, said last-mentioned recess having a forwardly extending center ridge therein about which said last-mentioned projection can pivot, the projection of said one scoop being movable in the recess of said opposed scoop, thereby enabling each scoop of a coupled pair of scoops to move relatively to the other and to permit the scoops to be coupled and uncoupled by a slider.

3. A scoop for a separable fastener stringer comprising a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, the coupling end portion having a projection and a recess which together extend entirely across the width thereof and which are disposed side by side, said projection having a flat outer surface and also having upper and lower surfaces which have the curvature of a cylindrical surface, said projection extending forwardly beyond said recess with a side surface of the projection next adjacent the recess serving to partially define said recess, said recess also being defined by another surface having the curvature of a cylindrical surface, said recess opening through the front surface and through a side surface of said coupling end portion.

4. A scoop for a separable fastener stringer comprising a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, the coupling end portion having a projection and a recess which together extend entirely across the width thereof and which are disposed side by side, said projection having an outer surface which has the curvature of a cylindrical surface, said projection extending forwardly beyond said recess with a side surface of the projection next adjacent the recess serving to partially define said recess, said recess also being defined by upper and lower walls whose inner surfaces have the curvature of a cylindrical surface, said recess opening through the front surface and through a side surface of said coupling end portion, and said recess having an outwardly projecting, transversely extending ridge therein.

5. A scoop for a separable fastener stringer comprising a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, the coupling end portion having a projection and a recess disposed side by side which together extend across the entire width of the coupling end portion, said projection having symmetrical upper and lower portions and a flat outer face, said outer face lying in a plane normal to the plane of said stringer and parallel to the stringer edge, a side surface of the projection next adjacent the recess serving to partially define said recess, and said recess opening through a lateral surface and through the front surface of said coupling end portion.

6. A scoop for a separable fastener stringer comprising a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, the coupling end portion having a projection and a recess disposed side by side which together extend across the entire width of the coupling end portion, said recess having an outwardly extending transverse ridge therein which divides the recess into symmetrical upper and lower portions, said projection having cylindrically curved surfaces, at side surface of the projection next adjacent the recess serving to partially define said recess, and said recess opening through a lateral surface and through the front surface of said coupling end portion.

7. A separable fastener consisting of a pair of stringer tapes each of which has scoops spaced along the edge thereof, each scoop having a coupling end portion at the forward end of which is a projection and a recess disposed side by side, said projection and recess together extending across the entire width of said coupling end portion, the projection and recess of one scoop on one stringer tape engaging, respectively, the recess and the projection of an opposed scoop on the other stringer tape to couple both said scoops together, the projections of said two coupled scoops overlapping each other to provide an interlock against transverse separation in one direction, the recess of one of said coupled scoops being partially defined by upper and lower walls which, respectively, overhang and underlie the engaged projection of the opposed coupled scoop, thereby providing an interlock against pull-apart separation and against longitudinal separation, said recess of said one coupled scoop having a forwardly extending transverse center ridge therein engaged by said projection of the opposed coupled scoop, said latter scoop being pivotable about said ridge, said ridge dividing said recess into upper and lower symmetrical portions, and said engaged projection having upper and lower symmetrical portions.

8. A separable fastener according to claim 7 in which each stringer tape has scoops of one construction alternating with scoops of a second and dilferent construction.

9. A separable fastener according to claim 7 in which each stringer tape has scoops of the same construction but in which alternate scoops are reversed so that the projection and recess of one scoop are arranged oppositely to the projection and recess of the next scoop on the same stringer tape.

10. A scoop for separable fastener stringers, said scoop comprising a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, said coupling end portion having a projection and a recess which together extend entirely across the width thereof and which are disposed side by side, said projection having a head with curved side walls, the end surface of said head being fiat and the wall of said recess being curved.

11. A scoop .for separable fasteners, comprising a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, said coupling end portionhaving a substantially cylindrical projection and a socket portion which together extend entirely across the Width thereof and which are disposed side by side, said socket portion defined by upper and lower curved walls, and an outwardly projecting member centrally of the socket portion forming between said upper and lower walls a pivot ridge extending longitudinally of said socket portion from one side to the other thereof.

12. A scoop for separable fasteners, comprising a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, said coupling end portion having a substantially cylindrical projection and a socket portion which together extend entirely across the width thereof andwhich are disposed socket portion defined by upper and lower curved walls,

and the inner surfaces of said curved Walls being substantially concentric to the axis defined by the extremity of said pivot ridge.

References Cited in the file of this patent 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,480,027 Statham Jan. 8, 1924 1,720,080 Kennedy July 9, 1929 1,756,736 Gallina Apr. 29, 1930 10 8 Freysinger Apr. 28, 1931- Bolton Oct. 17, 1950 Sundback May 29, 1951 Hora May 12, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS Australia July 10, 1947 Great Britain Dec. 10, 1924 Great Britain 1927 Germany 1930 

